Networking and keeping in touch with other directors of photography, photographers, writers, producers and related freelancers has been key to the longevity of my business. Some of them are my direct competitors, but I consider them allies.

Often a job will come up that I am too busy to do so I will refer the client to someone else, who I trust and is equally qualified (and who will not try to steal my client). This works both ways: I have gotten many shoots and writing jobs through this network of freelancers.

Additionally, people that I meet who work in related positions, like sound mixers, make up artists, gaffers and grips are valuable resources. Clients will sometimes ask these people if they know a director of photography or writer-producer who would be a “good fit” for their project.

Another spot where this helps is in gear acquisition: We are often asked to provide cameras or related equipment on a job that I don’t personally own. Usually I know another freelancer who has the piece of gear and will gladly rent it to me for a discounted rate if they are not using it on the shoot day. This is cheaper than getting the gear from a rental house and builds a good rapport with the other freelancer who will then, in turn, be more likely to refer me on a project that they can’t handle.READ ON – More Tips-> Read more…

My wife Lauren and I love a road trip. It suits us. I have flown thousands of miles in my career, and much prefer driving the back roads than sitting in an airport, any day. She is in total agreement. We enjoy the time together, stopping where we want, when we want; the adventure of being on the road, with only a brief outline of the trip planned. Read more…

I admit it. I am an Instagram junkie. Why? Because it’s “in the moment” photography, quite different from my career in television and video production, which is all about having a plan (and a budget) for production that achieves a specific goal for the client. Instagram is about seeing something interesting and being able to capture and share it quickly.
Instagram is fun for me because it encourages spontaneity of thought in composition and speedy interaction with others about your image. All of the images in this post were created with very little forethought. The ability to apply a filter, enhance the image and post it to your network all within five minutes of having the first idea of the image frees up my creative energy. I hope you enjoy these photos, I enjoy snapping them… Follow me -> Instagram: tracetvfilm

Stoned? This planter sits next to my chair on our back patio. One morning I just decided it would make a nice frame. Art? I don’t know, you decide.

Yes, I feel like that sometimes, like I am on a “road to nowhere”. But then I look at where I have been, what joys and pain this life has brought my way. And I realize it is a road that has already lead me somewhere – to be who I am today.

Is this post about blogging? YES.
My blog stats tell me that I have published 172 posts and have started drafts for 144 more.

Is it a road to nowhere? No. My writing goals are long term. I never expected for it to reach a huge audience right out of the gate. I have met some great people through interactions on this blog, and have learned a great deal about myself in the writing process.

Writer – Director of Photography Trace Ready

I know my weak points:
Consistency
Brevity
Relevance

I am working on those things.

Here are two thoughts I like to keep in mind:

Just because something hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it won’t.

Writing and art of any kind (music, painting, photography) are cumulative efforts and lifelong pursuits, not something you do just to make money.

I will keep writing, learning, traveling, shooting stills and video, singing and all things that make me feel alive, as much as I can, as along as I can. Hearing that something I created (a blog, a video, a still, a story) touched someone, in some way, always makes my day.

If you’ve read this so far, THANKS. What have you seen on my blog that resonates with you?

Reaching a larger audience with all of it is a goal, a hill to top. But the journey is the fun part. Let’s see how far we can go.

Thanks for tuning in, I promise at least a hundred and seventy-two more.

Trace Ready is a Director of Photography, Writer, Producer and Vocalist based in Dallas, Texas. His band Trace Relations has released their debut studio CD “Prosperity Street”Connect with Trace: TraceProductions.com

It’s Thursday morning, my scheduled weekly deadline for this blog, and yet I have been too busy to generate any new posts this week. So what to do? Just yesterday I tweeted this post from Darren Rowse’s excellent blog (@ProBlogger):One Activity You Should Do On Your Blog Every Day
In it, Darren talks about publishing new posts from older ones that have performed well in the past, a way to expose new readers to previously generated content. SO, that fits in perfectly with my situation this morning!

I hope you enjoy the quotes, songs and tips here, things that help me cope with one of my biggest headaches in life, Time Management!

Thanks for tuning in, Trace

Waking up to a mental list of tasks, agonizing over opportunities missed, juggling work and home life AND time to write consistently for this blog, it all gives me a headache! As an entrepreneur (freelancer) I constantly struggle with “time management”. How do I keep groceries on the table, and pursue tasks that are closer to my own personal visions for the rest of my days? The only ANSWER I know is – Keep working on it. It’s easy to let the multitude of tasks and commitments at hand get the best of us, if we let it.

Wait a minute!

There are many great articles written from a practical business standpoint which address this issue. Most boil down to some simple ideas:
1. Make lists of tasks and then prioritize: Work on the most important things first.
2. Give yourself credit for small things, simple tasks completed. Pat yourself on the back when you reach small milestones. Many people are waiting for the BIG GLORIOUS VICTORY before they give themselves any credit. Sometimes that victory never comes. Don’t worry about it, celebrate small victories as they happen.
3. Schedule specific times for specific tasks. Like this blog, I schedule every Wednesday evening and early Thursday mornings to complete at least one post a week. It’s HARD, amidst everything else in my life, but I get it done because I have it SCHEDULED.